Bromley

Bromley's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure and ethnicity.

The population reached nearly 310,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Bromley increased by 4.7%, from almost 296,000 to 309,000.

The addition of just under 14,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Bromley was home to, on average, 15 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres). This made it London's least densely-populated borough.

Population density was lower than the average across London

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Bromley

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Bromley increased by two years, from 38 to 40 years.

This affluent suburban area had the highest average age in London and remained slightly older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 9,300 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 6,000.

About 16% of people in Bromley are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Bromley by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Bromley that rented privately increased from 8.5% to 13% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

The proportion that lived in social housing remained close to 14%, while the percentage of Bromley households that owner their home decreased from 75% to 71%.

The proportion of privately rented homes decreased faster here than in any other local authority district across London. As a result, this area had Greater London's third lowest proportion of privately rented homes.

Private renting in Bromley increased by 4.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in Bromley, London and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Disablity in Bromley

This area saw London's third-largest rise in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

Across the region, only Bexley (from 2.9% to 3.8%) and Harrow (from 2.9% to 3.7%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

During this period, Bromley went from having the 22nd-highest to the 16th-highest percentage of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability out of 309 English local authority areas.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.2%) in Bromley reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 2.4% in 2001. The percentage who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 7.2% to 6.9%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across London

Percentage of usual residents that that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in Bromley

The number of people in Bromley from the White ethnic groups increased from about 270,000 in 2001 to just over 260,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 92% to 84% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across London (from 71% to 60%), but at a slower rate than the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Bromley from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from about 8,600 in 2001 to just under 19,000 in 2011 (from 2.9% to 6.0%). The number of residents from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just over 9,300 to just over 16,000 (from 3.2% to 5.2%).

About 11,000 people (1.9%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from just over 5,500 in 2001 (3.5%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Bromley decreased by 7.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Bromley by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Bromley residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.0% to 4.1% in the decade to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (84%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 72% in 2001. The percentage of Bromley residents that described their health as fair decreased from 21% to 12%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of London (from 8.3% in 2001 to 5.0% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Bromley decreased by 2.8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Bromley, London and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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